MANILA, Philippines – Floyd Mayweather Jr. ended his short but joyful visit to the Philippines on Saturday and headed to Tokyo for the sixth stop of an ongoing campaign embracing his fans around the world.
He left the country the way he arrived last Tuesday – in style and under cover of darkness.
From Manila, the retired boxing superstar headed to Japan. His schedule changes every minute. But based on earlier plans, up next is a trip to Alaska and then home to Las Vegas.
Mayweather’s luxurious private plane took off at NAIA at 4:10 in the morning, barely three hours after he arrived from a quick visit to the famous Pearl Farm beach resort in Davao del Norte.
He arrived in the country in the same manner, his Gulfstream IV touching down at the NAIA last Tuesday a little past 2 a.m.
Mayweather enjoyed every minute of his visit to the Philippines, circling the islands of Palawan and staying at El Nido. He went swimming with his friends.
At Pearl Farm, he spent time on the jet-ski. In Davao, he met Special Assistant to the President Bong Go. Also in he meeting was former Ilocos Norte Gov. Chavit Singson.
“He loved his stay here,” said Wendell Cunanan, a Filipino who was with the 41-year-old Mayweather during his entire stay.
Mayweather trilled his fans by roaming the city. He visited the Mall of Asia last Wednesday and then Greenbelt 5 the following day.
“He really liked the warmth of the people,” said another companion.
A meeting with his Filipino counterpart, Manny Pacquiao, did not materialize even when during his stay in short stay in Davao the two boxing legends were just an hour apart.
“I’m very appreciative of all the Filipino fans. I’m glad to be here and embrace the fans and embrace the people,” he said.
“I’ve heard so many great things about your country but I’m here to see for myself,” Mayweather said in his arrival speech.